Regional

Cops investigate man with alleged link to Syria conflict

A SINGAPOREAN man is being investigated for allegedly going to Syria “with the intention to undertake violence” in the ongoing armed conflict there, said the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in a media statement.

Haja Fakkurudeen Usman Ali, a 37-year-old supermarket manager, is a former Indian national who obtained his Singapore citizenship in 2008. A member of the public informed the authorities of his alleged trip after he left Singapore.

MHA also said it had been established that Gul Mohamed Maracachi Maraicar, a 37-year-old Indian national and former Singapore permanent resident, had abetted and assisted Haja in his radicalisation and plans to participate in armed violence in Syria.

Gul, who worked as a system analyst with a multinational company here, was investigated under the Internal Security Act, deported and banned from entering Singapore.

A spokesman for the ministry said: “We would like to remind the public to alert the authorities if they suspect that a friend or family member has become radicalised or is planning to undertake armed violence overseas.

“This will enable the authorities to take appropriate action to prevent the person from pursuing acts of violence that could cause harm to himself or others and even lead to the loss of lives.” — The Straits Times / Asia News Network